Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
300. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider including those in receipt of a one parent family payment for consideration for participation under the momentum scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41860/13]
View answerThe Momentum initiative to provide free education and training projects for up to 6,500 long-term jobseekers. The initiative is administered by FÁS and funded by the Department of Education and Skills through the National Training Fund (NTF) and co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). In line with the commitments given in Pathways to Work, eligibility for the Momentum initiative is targeted at the long term unemployed and a participant must meet the following criteria:- Be unemployed and on the Live Register for 12 months (312days) or longer and- Be in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) or credited contributions for 12 months or longer and- Be actively seeking work.
Receipt of a one parent family allowance does not satisfy the criteria for this initiative. However, the Deputy should note the wide range of other activation supports available to those in receipt of this payment. It should also be noted that the Momentum initiative represents a small percentage of the state-funded places provided in 2013 in further education, higher education and training.
Eligibility for accessing many of these interventions is not contingent on receipt of a social welfare payment or signing for credited contributions. Extension of the Momentum initiative to those not associated with the Live Register is not being considered given the current size and construct of the Live Register, in particular the numbers of people who are now long-term unemployed.
